A woman has been charged after she allegedly slapped a police patrol horse in Arizona.

Selma Iris Gonzalez, 25, is accused of intent to kill or harm a service animal.

Officers said the suspect slapped Greyhawk on his rear on July 19 outside a nightclub in Scottsdale.

Gonzalez claimed she was merely attempting to pet the horse, according to a police report.

But authorities said the smack was loud enough to be heard by the noisy crowd of revellers.

Greyhawk was spooked by the slap, police said.

The horse's partner, Officer Edward Chrisman, told KTVK-TV: "It's not only dangerous for him, it's also dangerous for us being on top of him if for some reason he does get spooked and he decides to run.

"He could have turned into a crowd and possibly hurt the people on the sidewalk."